# Active Club Network UK # Active Club Network UK > Last updated: 6 June 2026 ## Overview The **Active Club Network** is a decentralized, transnational neo-fascist accelerationist sub-community that combines physical fitness training, martial arts, and combat sports with white supremacist ideology. Inspired by Robert Rundo's defunct **Rise Above Movement (RAM)**, the network was formally established in January 2021 and represents what analysts call "White Nationalism 3.0" - a modern strategy emphasizing decentralized, local organizing that prioritizes imperceptibility to law enforcement. In the UK, the network operates primarily through **Active Club England (ACE)** and regional chapters, with at least 100 confirmed members, 8 chapters, and over 6,000 Telegram subscribers. The group has been linked to the 2024 summer riots, international fascist summits, and a Westminster murder investigation. --- ## 1. Origins & Ideology ### Robert Rundo & Rise Above Movement - **Robert Rundo** founded the Rise Above Movement (RAM) in California in 2017 as a street-fighting white supremacist group. - RAM members were arrested in 2018 following violence at political rallies. - Following widespread arrests, Rundo established the **Active Club model in 2020-21** as a harder-to-detect successor. - The model prioritizes local recruitment, physical training, and avoiding obvious Nazi symbolism to evade law enforcement scrutiny. ### The Active Club Model **Core strategy:** - Decentralized cells operating independently but sharing ideology and branding - Fitness and combat sports as recruitment front and cover - Anti-detection guidelines: members told to avoid obvious Nazi symbols, use fake names, maintain "respectable" appearance - Mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing, weightlifting as core activities - Telegram and encrypted channels for coordination **Ideology:** - White supremacist accelerationism - believes Western society is collapsing and must be hastened toward "white genocide" - Preparation for "race war" through physical and combat readiness - "Build strength, honor, and kinship" as public-facing message - Neo-Nazi, fascist, anti-Semitic core beliefs hidden behind fitness branding ### Accelerationism & Terrorgram - Active Clubs connected to **accelerationist ideology** - the belief that societal collapse should be accelerated through violence - **Terrorgram** - Telegram channels sharing terrorist propaganda, manifestos, and attack methodologies - Network shares ideological overlap with proscribed groups like National Action and Atomwaffen Division - Members encouraged to prepare for societal breakdown and "enforce their will on the world" --- ## 2. UK Presence: Active Club England ### Structure & Scale - **Active Club England (ACE)** is the primary UK chapter - At least **100 confirmed members** as of February 2025 - **8 regional chapters** across England - **6,000+ Telegram subscribers** across UK channels (BBC investigation) - Described by Neil Basu (former head of UK counterterrorism policing) as the **successor to National Action** (neo-Nazi group proscribed in 2016) ### Known Chapters & Locations **London:** - Training sessions held in **Vauxhall, south London** - close to MI6 headquarters - Public park workouts documented by ITV News undercover investigation **Midlands:** - **Active Club Midlands** exposed by HOPE not hate (October 2025) - Described as "fascist fight club" - Fuses combat training with extremist ideology **Scotland:** - Active recruitment targeting young Scots - Multiple Telegram channels created since late 2025 - The National (Scotland) reported increasing targeting of Scottish youth **Wales:** - Connected to South Wales Police investigation following BBC undercover documentary (January 2025) - Links to Patriotic Alternative Welsh members **Other regions:** - Chapters operating across England, specific locations not publicly disclosed for security reasons --- ## 3. Major Investigations & Exposures ### BBC Investigation (October 2024) **"Far-right group using sports to 'build militia', experts warn"** - BBC News investigation revealed Active Club using sports clubs to ready followers for violence - Experts warned the group was building a militia under the guise of fitness - Highlighted links to white supremacist ideology and accelerationist networks - Counter-terrorism experts raised concerns about radicalization potential ### ITV News Undercover Investigation (February 2025) **"Inside Britain's fascist fight club"** - **Six-month undercover infiltration** of Active Club England - Reporter documented: - Training sessions in Vauxhall park, near MI6 headquarters - Members preparing for "race war" - Boxing, MMA, and fitness used to recruit young people - Fake names used to avoid detection - Anti-detection guidelines enforced - **100+ members gathered** for training events - Group described as following blueprint from US and European neo-Nazi networks - ITV News secretly filmed members making extremist statements **Key findings:** - Group masquerading as fitness club while building far-right militia - Training sessions held "in plain sight" in public spaces - Members radicalized through combination of physical training and ideological indoctrination - Network grew significantly during 2024 summer riots ### HOPE not hate: Midlands Exposed (October 2025) **"Active Club Midlands: Fascist Fight Club Exposed"** - Investigation into Midlands chapter - Documented fusion of combat training with extremist ideology - Identified "new generation of fascists" using MMA and fitness as recruitment tool - Highlighted how chapters operate semi-independently while sharing branding and ideology ### ITV News: Going Global (November 2025) **"Active Club and Vanguard Britannica: How British Neo-Nazis are going global"** - **26-year-old from Leicestershire** led British delegation to highest-level fascist meeting in America - **Vanguard Britannica** - linked to Active Club England, also neo-Nazi group - Documented British neo-Nazis establishing international connections - Network recruiting "fighting-age white British men" - Members trained by American white supremacists (The Telegraph, November 2025) **Buckingham Palace connection:** - Leading member of neo-Nazi fight club employed by Buckingham Palace - Showed royal family's private art collection to visitors - Exposed by The Times (November 2025) --- ## 4. Links to Violence & Criminal Activity ### 2024 Summer Riots - Active Club England **exploited unrest** of summer 2024 riots to expand - Became one of Britain's largest white supremacist networks following the riots - Used chaos to recruit and radicalize new members - ITV News investigation documented growth during this period ### Westminster Murder Investigation - **Police scrutiny** after Westminster killing linked to Active Club radicalisation - BritBrief investigation (2025-26) revealed neo-fascist network under investigation - Murder linked to radicalizing influence on new members - Charlie Kirk's controversial ties to the movement examined - Counter-terrorism police monitoring connections ### Arrests (April 2025) - **Man arrested** following ITV News investigation - Arrest connected to white supremacist network activities - Police action followed six-month undercover exposure - South Wales Police also launched investigation into Welsh connections --- ## 5. International Connections ### US Network - Active Club Network originated in United States - **Robert Rundo** remains central figure, coordinating internationally - British members traveled to US for fascist summits - American white supremacists training British members (The Telegraph) - US Congress held hearing on Active Clubs (May 2026) - described as "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier" ### European Network - Active Clubs active across Europe: France, Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe - **Vanguard Britannica** - British group with European connections - Transnational coordination through Telegram and encrypted channels - Shared branding, ideology, and recruitment strategies ### Intelligence Monitoring - **Western intelligence agencies** monitoring Active Clubs as international white supremacist movement - **EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation** published guidance on Active Clubs - **Counter Extremism Project** tracking network globally - **Europol** and national counter-terrorism units monitoring --- ## 6. Recruitment & Radicalization ### Target Demographics - **Young men** (18-30) primary recruitment target - Fitness enthusiasts, martial arts practitioners, sports club members - Individuals disillusioned with mainstream politics - Those seeking community and belonging ### Recruitment Strategy **Public-facing:** - Fitness and combat sports as entry point - "Build strength, honor, and kinship" messaging - Social media presence emphasizing physical culture - Avoidance of obvious extremist symbols **Radicalization process:** - Initial contact through fitness events and training - Gradual introduction of ideological content - Telegram channels for deeper indoctrination - Terrorgram content shared in encrypted spaces - Preparation for "race war" as ultimate goal ### Anti-Detection Guidelines Members instructed to: - Use fake names and avoid real identities online - Maintain "respectable" appearance in public - Avoid obvious Nazi symbols, tattoos, or clothing - Present as fitness enthusiasts, not extremists - Operate in small, decentralized cells - Use encrypted communication channels --- ## 7. Funding & Resources ### Funding Sources - **Self-funded** by members (gym memberships, equipment, travel) - **Merchandise sales** - branded clothing, patches, accessories - **Cryptocurrency** - decentralized funding to avoid detection - **US connections** - financial support from American network - **Crowdfunding** - occasional campaigns for specific events ### Resources & Infrastructure - No central headquarters - decentralized model - Use public parks, commercial gyms, private spaces - Telegram channels for coordination and propaganda - Video content production for recruitment - International travel for summits and training --- ## 8. Law Enforcement Response ### UK Counter-Terrorism - **South Wales Police** launched investigation following BBC documentary (January 2025) - **National Crime Agency (NCA)** monitoring network - Counter-terrorism units tracking connections to proscribed groups - Neil Basu (former counter-terrorism head) identified as National Action successor ### Arrests & Prosecutions - **April 2025:** Man arrested following ITV investigation - Ongoing investigations into network activities - Monitoring of Telegram channels and encrypted communications - Cooperation with international law enforcement ### Challenges - Decentralized structure makes prosecution difficult - Anti-detection guidelines effective at avoiding obvious extremism - Fitness front provides plausible deniability - International coordination complicates investigations - Balancing civil liberties with security concerns --- ## 9. Links to Other Extremist Groups ### Patriotic Alternative - Active Club members connected to **Patriotic Alternative (PA)** - PA leader Mark Collett praised fitness-focused approach - Shared membership and overlapping events - Both groups emphasize physical training and "white preservation" ### Blood & Honour - Historical connections to neo-Nazi music network - Shared ideological foundations - Overlapping membership in some regions ### Proscribed Groups - **National Action** - Active Club described as successor - **Atomwaffen Division** - ideological overlap, some shared members - **Combat 18** - historical connections to neo-Nazi violence - **System Resistance Network** - linked to accelerationist ideology ### Vanguard Britannica - Separate but linked neo-Nazi group - Also preparing for "race war" - Trained members in combat across UK - Unfurled anti-Zionist banners above British roads - Connected to Active Club England --- ## 10. Expert Analysis & Warnings ### Counter-Terrorism Experts **Neil Basu (former UK counter-terrorism head):** - Active Club England is successor to National Action - Represents evolution of neo-Nazi organizing - Harder to detect than previous generations **Alexander Ritzmann (Counter Extremism Project):** - Active Clubs ramping up recruitment efforts since late 2025 - Multiple Telegram channels created targeting youth - Represents "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier" **The Conversation (August 2025):** - Active Clubs are "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier" - Merge extremist ideology with fitness and combat - Harder to detect form of white supremacist organizing ### Academic Research **GNET Research (July 2024):** - "Accelerationism: The Active Club Network" report - Documented transnational neo-fascist accelerationist sub-community - Prioritizes imperceptibility to law enforcement **Congressional Testimony (May 2026):** - US House Judiciary Committee hearing on Active Clubs - Described as "harder-to-detect form of white supremacist organizing" - Merges extremist ideology with fitness and combat training --- ## 11. Media Coverage & Public Awareness ### Major Investigations - **BBC News** (October 2024) - "build militia" warning - **ITV News** (February 2025) - six-month undercover investigation - **HOPE not hate** (October 2025) - Midlands chapter exposed - **The Telegraph** (November 2025) - American training connections - **The Times** (November 2025) - Buckingham Palace employment - **ITV News** (November 2025) - international fascist summit - **The National (Scotland)** (2025-26) - Scottish recruitment ### Public Response - Counter-extremism organizations raising awareness - Community groups monitoring local activities - Sports clubs and gyms advised to be vigilant - Parents and educators warned about recruitment tactics --- ## 12. Ongoing Threat Assessment ### Current Status (2026) - Network continues to operate and expand - New chapters forming across UK - International connections strengthening - Recruitment targeting younger demographics - Law enforcement monitoring but prosecution difficult ### Future Concerns - Potential for lone-actor attacks inspired by network - Radicalization through fitness and sports communities - International coordination for violence - Evolution of tactics to avoid detection - Exploitation of social and political tensions --- ## 13. Key Figures | Name | Role | Notes | |------|------|-------| | **Robert Rundo** | Network founder | Based in US, coordinates internationally, founded Rise Above Movement (2017) | | **26-year-old (Leicestershire)** | Vanguard Britannica leader | Led British delegation to US fascist summit (November 2025) | | **Buckingham Palace employee** | Leading member | Showed royal art collection, exposed by The Times | --- ## 14. Timeline | Date | Event | |------|-------| | **2017** | Robert Rundo founds Rise Above Movement (RAM) in California | | **2018** | RAM members arrested following political rally violence | | **January 2021** | Active Club Network formally established | | **Summer 2024** | UK riots - Active Club England exploits unrest, grows significantly | | **October 2024** | BBC investigation warns of "militia building" | | **January 2025** | BBC Wales Investigates "Unmasked: Extreme Far Right" - South Wales Police launch investigation | | **February 2025** | ITV News six-month undercover investigation published | | **April 2025** | Man arrested following ITV investigation | | **October 2025** | HOPE not hate exposes Midlands chapter | | **November 2025** | ITV News documents British neo-Nazis at US fascist summit; Buckingham Palace connection exposed; Telegraph reports American training | | **May 2026** | US Congress hearing on Active Clubs | | **2025-26** | Westminster murder linked to Active Club radicalisation | --- ## 15. Sources - BBC News - "Far-right group using sports to 'build militia'" (October 2024) - ITV News - "Inside Britain's fascist fight club" undercover investigation (February 2025) - ITV News - "Active Club and Vanguard Britannica: How British Neo-Nazis are going global" (November 2025) - HOPE not hate - "Active Club Midlands: Fascist Fight Club Exposed" (October 2025) - The Telegraph - "British fascists trained by American white supremacists" (November 2025) - The Times - "Neo-Nazi welcomed visitors to Buckingham Palace" (November 2025) - The National (Scotland) - "How a neo-Nazi fight club is increasingly targeting young Scots" (2025-26) - Wikipedia - Active Clubs article - ADL (Anti-Defamation League) - Active Club Network backgrounder (January 2023) - Counter Extremism Project - Active Clubs threat assessment - GNET Research - "Accelerationism: The Active Club Network" (July 2024) - US Congress House Judiciary Committee - Active Clubs hearing (May 2026) - BritBrief - "Far-Right 'Active Clubs' Face Scrutiny After Westminster Murder" (2025-26) - AA (Anadolu Agency) - "Neo-Nazi group's 'fitness club' uncovered preparing for 'race war' in UK" (February 2025) - Metro - "The 'fight night' white supremacist groups preparing for conflict" (January 2025) - The Conversation - "Active Clubs are white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier" (August 2025) - EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation - Active Clubs guidance - Europol - ENFAST network monitoring --- *This document tracks the Active Club Network's presence in the UK. The network represents a significant evolution in neo-Nazi organizing, combining fitness culture with white supremacist accelerationism. Verify information against primary sources before citing.*